Please welcome authors Kari Gonzalez and S. K. Wenger to Dynamic Book Duos – a blog featuring two books that pair together in a meaningful way along with educational activities to strengthen reading skills. This week’s pairing focuses on ways to celebrate reading and making connections in our relationships with others. Enjoy the laughter, literature, and chickens!
PERFECT PAIR: Laughter, Literature, and Chickens!
In Chicken Frank, Dinosaur by S. K. Wenger and illustrated by Jojo Ensslin an excited chicken named Frank wants to convince his barnyard friends that he is a dinasaur. In How To Hatch A Reader by Kari Ann Gonzalez and illustrated by Rachel Suzanne, a Farmer just wants to teach her chickens to read. These plucky stories will delight readers who love to laugh and learn about the science of evolution and the science of reading as the hilarity of both situations ensue with humor, wit, fun facts, and feathered friends.
With the occurrence of two chicken-tastic holidays this month—International Respect for Chickens Day on May 4th and one that features their evolutionary ancestors (National Dinosaur Day) on May 18th— the timing for this post couldn’t be better!
Book 2: How to Hatch a Reader
Learning to read can be tricky, but a good teacher can make all the difference! When your chickens start begging for b-b-b-books, you want to be ready with all the right tools. First, find a cozy place to rest their chicken cheeks and help them peck the right story. Readers don’t hatch overnight, but with your help words will be flying off the pages . . . unless that fox gets in the way.
With humor and hints of forthcoming mischief, How to Hatch a Reader celebrates the milestones of learning to read with wit and humor, and provides tools to help kids build confidence in their own skills while encouraging a love for books and reading with others.
Book 2: Chicken Frank, Dinosaur!
In this quirky tale with a STEM foundation, Chicken Frank doesn’t understand why his doubting barnyard friends don’t believe that he is related to Tyranasaurus rex. When results of a DNA test inspire Frank to hold a reunion with toothy relatives, will Frank become a tasty chicken nugget or will they all finally celebrate the evolutionary connections together?
Chicken Frank, Dinosaur! offers a perfect blend of humor and information in its exploration of evolution, extinction, and scientific debate. Wrapped up with a surprise, yet satisfying ending, Chicken Frank and his barnyard pals discover friendship and family can be found in unexpected places. This comic-book style picture book is perfect for chicken, dinosaur, and animal lovers everywhere.
EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES:
Activities for How to Hatch a Reader:
Activities for Chicken Frank, Dinosaur!
Activity for Both Books:
MEET THE AUTHORS:
